Cornelian cherries are best propagated via cuttings or offshoots. Since the trees grow very slowly, especially in the first few years, it takes many years until the home-grown fruit trees bloom and even longer until they bear the first edible fruits.
How to propagate cornelian cherries?
Cornelian cherries are best propagated via cuttings, offshoots or sowing. Cuttings are the simplest method, in which shoots about 20 cm long are cut off and stuck into the ground. Decayers are branches that are tied and piled up to produce new growth from them. Sowing is rather unusual due to the long germination time.
The different methods of propagation
Cornelian cherries can be propagated in three ways:
- Cuttings
- Lowers
- Sowing
Propagate cornelian cherries through cuttings
Propagation from cuttings is quite simple and almost always works. Either cut approximately 20 centimeters long cuttings from the plant after flowering or in winter.
Bevel cuttings cut in winter at the bottom so that you don't accidentally plant the wood the wrong way round.
Remove any lower leaves that may still be present.
Stick into the ground in place
You can stick the cuttings in the ground in the desired location in the summer. They grow roots there even without much care.
Winter cuttings can also be planted in the intended location if the ground is not frozen. Otherwise, place them in small nursery pots.
You can plant out the young plants in spring or autumn when enough roots have formed.
Propagation by reducers
To lower, gently bend a lower branch down so that it touches the ground. Score the shoot wherever it lies directly on the ground and then pour some soil over it.
Additionally anchor the lowering anchor with tent pegs or stones. You can tell that the propagation by lowering has worked by the fact that new shoots grow out of the ground.
Cut the resulting plants and place them in the desired location.
Sowing cornelian cherries is not recommended
It takes up to two years for cornelian cherry seeds to germinate. They need at least one period of frost to overcome the germination inhibition.
Many years pass until a cornelian cherry grows from a pit. That's why this method is usually not used.
Tip
The non-toxic cornelian cherries usually bloom before the forsythia. In the fruit tree, also known as the yellow dogwood, the flowers appear first and then the leaves.
